Sergelen Munkhbaatar1, Bulbul Aumakhan2, Baigalmaa Jantsansengee3, Iliza Azyei1, Zolzaya Sanjaajamts2, Jugderjav Badrakh2, Tugsdelger Sovd4, Susanne Stromdahl5, Stefan Baral5, Oyunbileg Amindavaa1. 1. Global Fund Supported Projects on HIV/AIDS and TB, Ministry of Health, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 2. HIV/AIDS and STI Surveillance and Research Department, National Center for Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 3. Mongolian Field Epidemiology Training Program, Ministry of Health, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Internal Auditing Department, Ministry of Health, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 5. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Surveillance studies among female sex workers (FSWs) in Mongolia have found no HIV but high rates of syphilis, ranging from 10.7% in 2002 to 20.8% in 2007. OBJECTIVES: To determine the current prevalence of HIV and syphilis among FSWs, and to identify syphilis risk factors. METHODS: 761 FSWs were recruited by time-location sampling between 2 January and 29 March 2012 in Ulaanbaatar city, Darkhan-Uul, Orkhon, Khuvsgul and Dornod provinces in Mongolia. Participants were administered an anonymous structured survey. Blood samples were tested for HIV and syphilis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with syphilis. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 31 (median 30, interquartile range 24-38). HIV knowledge was modest: 41.3% correctly answered all questions. Consistent condom use with clients was reported by 49.1% of participants and exposure to HIV prevention programmes by 50.1%. Although no cases of HIV were found, syphilis prevalence was -27.8% (95% CI 24.3% to 31.7%). In multivariate analyses, variables associated with syphilis were younger age (age >30 years, OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.99) and occurrence of genital ulcer (OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.28). CONCLUSIONS: A syphilis epidemic continues to grow among FSWs in Mongolia. These women are at high risk of HIV transmission if introduced into their sexual networks. With the increase in migration of mining workers in Mongolia, introduction of HIV may be imminent. Efforts to intensify treatment and prevention programmes among FSWs are needed. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
BACKGROUND: Surveillance studies among female sex workers (FSWs) in Mongolia have found no HIV but high rates of syphilis, ranging from 10.7% in 2002 to 20.8% in 2007. OBJECTIVES: To determine the current prevalence of HIV and syphilis among FSWs, and to identify syphilis risk factors. METHODS: 761 FSWs were recruited by time-location sampling between 2 January and 29 March 2012 in Ulaanbaatar city, Darkhan-Uul, Orkhon, Khuvsgul and Dornod provinces in Mongolia. Participants were administered an anonymous structured survey. Blood samples were tested for HIV and syphilis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with syphilis. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 31 (median 30, interquartile range 24-38). HIV knowledge was modest: 41.3% correctly answered all questions. Consistent condom use with clients was reported by 49.1% of participants and exposure to HIV prevention programmes by 50.1%. Although no cases of HIV were found, syphilis prevalence was -27.8% (95% CI 24.3% to 31.7%). In multivariate analyses, variables associated with syphilis were younger age (age >30 years, OR=0.96, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.99) and occurrence of genital ulcer (OR=2.24, 95% CI 1.17 to 4.28). CONCLUSIONS: A syphilis epidemic continues to grow among FSWs in Mongolia. These women are at high risk of HIV transmission if introduced into their sexual networks. With the increase in migration of mining workers in Mongolia, introduction of HIV may be imminent. Efforts to intensify treatment and prevention programmes among FSWs are needed. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
Authors: Shirley J Semple; Eileen V Pitpitan; Claudia V Chavarin; Steffanie A Strathdee; Doroteo V Mendoza; Gregory A Aarons; Thomas L Patterson Journal: Glob Public Health Date: 2016-07-14